.The Cayman Islands (pronounced /ˈkeɪmæn/ or /ˈkeɪmən/) is a British overseas territory located in the western Caribbean Sea.^Central America and Caribbean :: Cayman Islands (overseas territory of the UK) .

.The territory comprises the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica.^Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.

He named the islands Las Tortugas after the numerous sea turtles there. .The first recorded English visitor to the islands was Sir Francis Drake, who landed there in 1586 and named them the Cayman Islands after caiman, the Neo-Taino nations' term for alligator.^SIR TURTLE This is the unofficial national logo of the Cayman Islands.

The first recorded permanent inhabitant of the Cayman Islands, Isaac Bodden, was born on Grand Cayman around 1661. He was the grandson of the original settler named Bodden who was probably one of Oliver Cromwell's soldiers at the taking of Jamaica in 1655.

.The Cayman Islands remained largely uninhabited until the 17th century.^Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands is my first and original Caribbean Islands map, which I began to draw in 1999, but it wasn’t finished until January 3, 2007!

A variety of people settled on the islands, including pirates, refugees from the Spanish Inquisition, shipwrecked sailors, deserters from Oliver Cromwell's army in Jamaica, and slaves. The majority of Caymanians are of African and British descent, with considerable interracial mixing.

.Great Britain took formal control of the Cayman Islands, along with Jamaica, under the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. Following several unsuccessful attempts, permanent settlement of the islands began in the 1730s.^The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries.

.The island of Grand Cayman, which lies largely unprotected at sea level, was hit by Hurricane Ivan on 11 and 12 September 2004, which destroyed many buildings and damaged 90% of them.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

.Power, water and communications were all disrupted in some areas for months as Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 86 years.^Numerous captions detail the West End of Grand Cayman, which is the area that probably 90% of all Cayman Islands visitors see.

.However, Grand Cayman began a major rebuilding process and within two years its infrastructure was nearly returned to pre-hurricane levels.^Here, divers interact with Grand Cayman’s extraordinary fleet of southern stingrays, plus accompanying yellowtail snappers, gray snappers, sergeant majors, .

.The Cayman Islands have the dubious honour of having experienced the most hurricane strikes in history.^SEVEN MILE BEACH The most famous, longest, and most popular beach in the Cayman Islands is situated in front of a row of hotels, condos, restaurants, shops and bars.

.Due to the proximity of the islands, more hurricane and tropical systems have affected the Cayman Islands than any other region in the Atlantic basin, being brushed or directly hit, on average, every 2.23 years.^More than 68,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2003, including almost 500 banks, 800 insurers, and 5,000 mutual funds.

.The Cayman Islands historically have been popular as a tax-exempt destination.^SEVEN MILE BEACH The most famous, longest, and most popular beach in the Cayman Islands is situated in front of a row of hotels, condos, restaurants, shops and bars.

.Legend has it that Caymanians in 1788 rescued the crews of a Jamaican merchant ship convoy which had struck a reef at Gun Bay during a hurricane, and that the Caymanians were rewarded with King George III's promise to never again impose a tax.^GENEVA KATHLEEN To 7' (2m) Snorkel from shore on 2-masted wooden-hulled schooner that was 200' (61m) long, but it was raked over the reef during a 1929 hurricane.

Geography

.The Cayman Islands are located in the western Caribbean Sea and are the peaks of a massive underwater ridge, known as the Cayman Trench (or Trough), standing 8,000 feet (2,400 m) from the sea floor, which barely exceeds the surface.^More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion.

.The islands lie in the northwest of the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Jamaica.^Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica .

They are situated about 400 miles (650 km) south of Miami, 180 miles (300 km) south of Cuba, and 195 miles (315 km) northwest of Jamaica. .Grand Cayman is by far the biggest, with an area of 76 square miles (197 km²).^Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.

.The two "Sister Islands" of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are located about 80 miles (130 km) east of Grand Cayman and have areas of 14 square miles (36 km²) and 10 square miles (25.9 km²) respectively.^Located 490 miles (800 km.

^Having reviewed the individual islands general dive scene, it is time to get to the specifics for Grand Cayman (followed by Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and then West End Grand Cayman, which is actually side 2 of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

All three islands were formed by large coral heads covering submerged ice age peaks of western extensions of the Cuban Sierra Maestra range and are mostly flat. .One notable exception to this is The Bluff on Cayman Brac's eastern part, which rises to 140 feet (42.6 m) above sea level, the highest point on the island.^FASTFACTS: A British Overseas Territory on the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands consists of three main islands: the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

.Cayman avian fauna includes two endemic subspecies of Amazona parrots: Amazona leucocephala hesterna, or Cayman Brac Parrot, native only to Cayman Brac, and Amazona leucocephala caymanensis or Grand Cayman Parrot, which is native to the Cayman Islands, forested areas of Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud.^Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.

^Having reviewed the individual islands general dive scene, it is time to get to the specifics for Grand Cayman (followed by Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and then West End Grand Cayman, which is actually side 2 of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

.Another notable fauna is the endangered Blue Iguana, which is native to Grand Cayman.^Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands Side 1 The front side of my map shows Grand Cayman as a separate map, and the Sister Islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, together as another map.

.There is also the agouti and the Booby Birds on Cayman Brac.^When you study your own copy of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands, you will find yourself dreaming about Cayman Brac, and the map will cause you to go there!

[7].The latest population estimate of the Cayman Islands is about 52,000 as of 2006, representing a mix of more than 100 nationalities.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

Out of that number, about half are of Caymanian descent. About 60% of the population is of mixed race (mostly mixed African-European). Of the remaining 40%, about half are of European descent and half are of African descent. The islands are almost exclusively Christian, with large numbers of Presbyterians and Catholics. Caymanians enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. .The vast majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman, followed by Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, respectively.^Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman remain our little piece of paradise.

^Having reviewed the individual islands general dive scene, it is time to get to the specifics for Grand Cayman (followed by Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and then West End Grand Cayman, which is actually side 2 of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

Population of the cities (Districts)

Economy

With an average income of around KYD$42,000, Caymanians enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. .According to the CIA World Factbook, the Cayman Islands GDP per capita is the 12th highest in the world.^DEEP SEA FISHING Cayman Islands waters boast world class fishing suitable for the .

Tourism

Aerial view of West Bay, Grand Cayman.

.One of Grand Cayman's (GCM) main attractions is Seven Mile Beach, on which a number of the island's hotels and resorts are located.^SEVEN MILE BEACH The most famous, longest, and most popular beach in the Cayman Islands is situated in front of a row of hotels, condos, restaurants, shops and bars.

Historical sites in GCM, such as Pedro St. James Castle in BoddenTown, also attract visitors. Tourists also visit the Sister Islands, Little Cayman[11] and Cayman Brac[12]

.All three islands offer scuba diving, and the Caymans are home to several snorkeling locations, where tourists can swim with stingrays (including Stingray City, Grand Cayman).^It is a 6”x9” map of Grand Cayman, Caymna Brac and Little Cayman, showing the names and locations of over 100 of the most notable scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the Cayman Islands as well as 100 or so species of the most common Caribbean coral reef creatures found in Cayman Islands waters.

.There are two shipwrecks off the shores of Cayman Brac, including the MV Keith Tibbetts.^When you study your own copy of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands, you will find yourself dreaming about Cayman Brac, and the map will cause you to go there!

.Other Grand Cayman tourist attractions include the Ironshore landscape of Hell, the 23-acre (93,000 m2) marine theme park Boatswain's Beach, also home of the Cayman Turtle Farm, the production of gourmet sea salt, and the Mastic Trail, a hiking trail through the forests in the centre of the island.^Boatswain's Beach Cayman Turtle Farm is a must-see when visiting Grand Cayman.

.The NationalTrust for the Cayman Islands provides guided tours weekly on the Mastic Trail and other locations.^The map maker finally just has to quit and call it “done.” That is the case with this years-long project of making a dive and guide map of the Cayman Islands.

[14] There are 279 banks (as of June 2008), 19 of which are licensed to conduct banking activities with domestic (Cayman-based) and international clients, the remaining 260 are licensed to operate on an international basis with only limited domestic activity.[16]

.One reason for the Cayman Islands’ success as an offshore financial centre has been the concentration of top-quality service providers.^Cayman Islands visa Top 5 requested .

^The only Cayman Islands Calling Card that you can use to make PIN-FREE calls from any phone, your home, office or even your cell phone, without switching your existing home phone service or wireless provider.

These include leading global financial institutions (incl. UBS and Goldman Sachs), over 80 administrators, leading accountancy practices (incl. the Big Four auditors), and offshore law practices (incl. Maples & Calder and Ogier).[17]

.Since the introduction of the Mutual Funds Law in 1993, which has been copied by jurisdictions around the world, the Cayman Islands have grown to be the world’s leading offshore hedge fund jurisdiction.^Since the number one activity of visitors to the Cayman Islands is diving and snorkeling, and since the underwater is so note worthy and magnificent, this subject is destined to dominate the map.

[17] In June 2008 it passed 10,000 hedge fund registrations, and over the year ending June 2008 CIMA reported a net growth rate of 12% for hedge funds.[18]

.Starting in the mid-late 1990s offshore financial centres, such as the Cayman Islands, came under increasing pressure from the OECD for their allegedly harmful tax regimes, where the OECD wished to prevent low-tax regimes from having an advantage in the global marketplace.^Finally, with this Cayman Islands map I am starting to like it!

.The OECD threatened to place the Cayman Islands and other tax havens on a "black list" and impose sanctions against them.^Little Cayman, and then Cayman Brac, I haven’t yet properly mentioned one of the favorite reasons for going to the Cayman Islands in the first place!

[19].However the Cayman Islands successfully avoided being placed on the OECD black list in 2000 by committing to regulatory reform to improve transparency and begin information exchange with OECD member countries about their citizens.^Fortunately, in the mean while I produced my first Cayman Islands product about three years before the completion of this map.

The Cayman Islands had previously appeared on the FATF Blacklist in 2000.[citation needed]

.In 2004, under pressure from the UK, the Cayman Islands agreed in principle to implement the European Union Savings Directive (EUSD), but only after securing some important benefits for the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands.^LITTLE CAYMAN DIVING The smaller of the Sister Islands, Little Cayman's only industry is it's world-class diving.

.As the Cayman Islands are not subject to EU laws, the implementation of the EUSD is by way of bilateral agreements between each EU member state and the Cayman Islands.^Since the number one activity of visitors to the Cayman Islands is diving and snorkeling, and since the underwater is so note worthy and magnificent, this subject is destined to dominate the map.

.The government of the Cayman Islands agreed on a model agreement, which set out how the EUSD would be implemented with the Cayman Islands.^If it wasn’t for kids, grandkids, and all of that, I would prefer to go take it easy for a Christmas vacation to Little Cayman Island.

.A report published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in March 2005, assessing supervision and regulation in the Cayman Islands' banking, insurance and securities industries, as well as its money laundering regime, recognised the jurisdiction's comprehensive regulatory and compliance frameworks.^LITTLE CAYMAN DIVING The smaller of the Sister Islands, Little Cayman's only industry is it's world-class diving.

"An extensive program of legislative, rule and guideline development has introduced an increasingly effective system of regulation, both formalizing earlier practices and introducing enhanced procedures," noted IMF assessors. The report further stated that "the supervisory system benefits from a well-developed banking infrastructure with an internationally experienced and qualified workforce as well as experienced lawyers, accountants and auditors," adding that, "the overall compliance culture within Cayman is very strong, including the compliance culture related to AML (anti-money laundering) obligations."[21]

On May 4, 2009, United States President Barack Obama declared his intentions to curb the use of tax havens by multinational corporations. .In his speech, he singled out the Cayman Islands as a tax shelter.^I’m still finding more and more out about them even as the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands is finished, and I already want to do the next edition even before the first edition arrives.

[22].The next day, the Cayman Island Financial Services Association submitted an open letter to the President detailing The Caymans' role in international finance and its value to the US financial system.^Cayman Islands business visa is not required for citizens of Canada for a stay up to 90 days.

This involves passing a police background check and a health check. A prospective immigrant worker will not be granted a permit if certain medical conditions are present which include testing positive for Hepatitis or HIV. Work permits are not issued after age 60. A permit may be granted to individuals on special work.

A foreigner must first have a job in order to move to the Cayman Islands. The employer applies and pays for the Work Permit.[25]. .Work Permits are not granted to foreigners that are in the Cayman Islands (unless it is a Renewal).^Over the years I had been working on the Cayman Islands map, but the task proved to be extremely daunting.

.The Cayman Islands Immigration Department requires foreigners to remain out of the country until their Work Permit has been approved.^Cayman Islands entry visa is not required for citizens of United States.

.The Cayman Islands presently imposes a controversial "rollover" policy in relation to expatriate workers who require a work permit.^Cayman Islands entry visa is not required for citizens of United States.

Non-Caymanians are only permitted to reside and work within the Territory for a maximum of seven years (non-renewable) unless they satisfy the criteria of key employees. The policy has been the subject of some controversy within the press. Law firms have been particularly upset by the recruitment difficulties that it has caused.[27] Other less well remunerated employment sectors have been affected as well. Concerns about safety have been expressed by diving instructors and realtors have also expressed concerns. Others support the rollover as necessary to protect Caymanian identity in the face of large immigration of expatriate workers.[28]

.Concerns have been expressed that in the long term, the policy may damage the pre-eminence of the Cayman Islands as an offshore financial centre by making it difficult to recruit and retain experienced staff from onshore financial centres.^The map maker finally just has to quit and call it “done.” That is the case with this years-long project of making a dive and guide map of the Cayman Islands.

Government employees are no longer exempt from this "rollover" policy according to this report in a local newspaper.[29] The governor has decided to use his constitutional powers, which give him absolute control for the disposition of civil service employees to determine which expatriate civil servants are dismissed after seven years service and which are not.

This policy is enshrined in the Immigration Law (2003 revision), written by the UDP government, and subsequently enforced by the PPM government. Both governments agree to the term limits on foreign workers, and the majority of Caymanians also agree it is necessary to protect local culture and heritage from being eroded by a large number of foreigners gaining residency and citizenship.[30]

Government

.The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory, listed by the UN Special Committee of Twenty-Four as one of the last non-self governing territories.^Since the number one activity of visitors to the Cayman Islands is diving and snorkeling, and since the underwater is so note worthy and magnificent, this subject is destined to dominate the map.

A fifteen-seat Legislative Assembly is elected by the people every four years to handle domestic affairs. Of the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), five are chosen to serve as government ministers in a Cabinet headed by the Governor. The head of government is the Premier.[citation needed]

A Governor is appointed by the British Government to represent the monarch. Governors can exercise complete executive authority if they wish through blanket powers reserved to them in the constitution. They must give Royal Assent to all legislation, which allows them the power to strike down any law the legislature may see fit for the country. In modern times, the Governor usually allows the country to be run by the Cabinet, and the civil service to be run by the Deputy Governor, who is the Acting Governor when the Governor is not able to discharge his usual duties for one reason or another. The current Governor of the Cayman Islands is Duncan Taylor and the current Deputy Governor is The Honourable Donovan Ebanks.

The Cabinet is composed of two official members and five elected members, called ministers; one of whom is designated Premier.

The official members are the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General. They are appointed by the governor in accordance with Her Majesty's instructions, and although they have seats in the Legislative Assembly, under the 2009 Constitution, they do not vote.

The five ministers are voted into office by the 15 elected members of the Legislative Assembly. One of the ministers, the leader of the majority political party, is appointed premier by the governor.

After consulting the premier, the governor allocates a portfolio of responsibilities to each Cabinet member. Under the principle of collective responsibility, all ministers are obliged to support in the Assembly any measures approved by Cabinet.

Almost 80 departments, sections and units carry out the business of government, joined by a number of statutory boards and authorities set up for specific purposes, such as the Port Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Immigration Board, the Water Authority, the University College Board of Governors, the National Pensions Board, and the Health Insurance Commission.

The government receives the majority of its income from indirect taxation. A 20% duty is levied against imported goods. Some items are exempted like baby formula, books and cameras. Duty on automobiles depends on the class and make of the model; duty can reach up to 40% for expensive models. Financial institutions that operate in the islands are charged a flat licensing fee by the government. .A 10% government tax is placed on all tourist accommodations in addition to the small fee each tourist pays upon getting on the island.^A small switching fee (currently 1/3 of a credit) is charged for all inbound (MO) messages that you receive.

Foreign relations

.The foreign relations of the Cayman Islands are largely managed from the United Kingdom, as the islands remain an overseas territory of the UK. However, the Government of the Cayman Islands often resolves important issues with foreign governments alone[citation needed], without intervention from Britain[citation needed].^However, Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands is not just a pretty picture, but it is full of useful information as we.

.Although in its early days, the Cayman Islands' most important relationships were with Britain and Jamaica, in recent years, a relationship with the United States has developed.^The map maker finally just has to quit and call it “done.” That is the case with this years-long project of making a dive and guide map of the Cayman Islands.

.Though the Cayman Islands are involved in no major international disputes, they have come under some criticism due to the use of their territory for narcotics trafficking and money laundering.^FASTFACTS: A British Overseas Territory on the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands consists of three main islands: the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

In an attempt to address this, the Government entered into the Narcotics Agreement of 1984 and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty of 1986 with the United States, in order to reduce the use of their facilities associated with these activities. In more recent years, they have stepped up the fight against money laundering, by limiting banking secrecy, introducing requirements for customer identification and record keeping, and requiring banks to cooperate with foreign investigators.

.Due to their status as an overseas territory of the UK, the Cayman Islands have no representation either on the United Nations, or in most other international organizations.^This includes, of course, George Town, the capital of The Cayman Islands, and the main city with the most residents.

.However, the Cayman Islands still participates in some international organizations, being a full member of the Central Development Bank[citation needed], and an ciate member of Caricom and UNESCO, and a member of a sub-bureau of Interpol.^However, Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands is not just a pretty picture, but it is full of useful information as we.

^However, I have found that the Cayman Islands are a wonderful, favorite, world class destination, with lots to see and do, plus some of the world’s best scuba diving and snorkeling, and more than that, the people are the greatest.

^I’m still finding more and more out about them even as the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands is finished, and I already want to do the next edition even before the first edition arrives.

.The East End Light (sometimes called Gorling Bluff Light) is a lighthouse located at the east end of Grand Cayman island in the Cayman Islands.^The map maker finally just has to quit and call it “done.” That is the case with this years-long project of making a dive and guide map of the Cayman Islands.

^Having reviewed the individual islands general dive scene, it is time to get to the specifics for Grand Cayman (followed by Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and then West End Grand Cayman, which is actually side 2 of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

.The lighthouse is the centerpiece of East End Lighthouse Park, managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands; the first navigational aid on the site was the first lighthouse in the Cayman Islands.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

Air transport

.There are three airports in the Cayman Islands, one for each island.^FASTFACTS: A British Overseas Territory on the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands consists of three main islands: the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

.With its head office in Grand Cayman, it operates mainly as an international and domestic scheduled passenger carrier, with cargo services available on all routes and a limited charter service offered.^The reefs and walls all around Grand Cayman are excellent dive spots.

Its operations are based at Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Cayman.

.Island Air is a small airline in the Cayman Islands providing services between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.^Having reviewed the individual islands general dive scene, it is time to get to the specifics for Grand Cayman (followed by Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, and then West End Grand Cayman, which is actually side 2 of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

Communications

Education

Primary and secondary schools

The Cayman Islands Education Department operates state schools. Caymanian children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. Various churches and private foundations operate several private schools that offer American and British based studies starting from nursery up to A Levels.

Colleges and universities

.The University College of the Cayman Islands is located on Grand Cayman and is the only government run university on the island.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

The college was established in 1970 and offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Post Graduate degree programmes.[32] Grand Cayman is also home to St. Matthew's University, which includes a medical school and a school of veterinary medicine.[33].The Cayman Islands Law School, a branch of the University of Liverpool in the UK, is also based on Grand Cayman.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

[34] Situated in George Town, the law school has been in operation since 1982.

.The Cayman Islands Civil Service College, a unit of Cayman Islands government organised under the Portfolio of the Civil Service, is also located in Grand Cayman.^In August 2006 I went to Grand Cayman with my daughter to finish the “research” for the first edition of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands.

.Co-situated with University College of the Cayman Islands in a building on the south side of the campus, the intent of the CICSC is offer both degree programs and continuing education units of various sorts.^Caymanian visa from Canada: 1-800-345-6541 Cayman Islands visa for citizens of United States .

Further, the college is planned to develop as a government research centre. It opened in autumn 2007.

Health and public safety

There are two hospitals in George Town, the government run George Town Hospital and the smaller, private Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital. Additionally, Faith Hospital is an eighteen-bed facility on Cayman Brac. The Government maintains a satellite clinic on Little Cayman.

Health insurance is handled by private insurers and a government-run company (CINICO). All employers are required under Law to provide Health Insurance for their employees (although the employee may be required to contribute 50% of the premium). Full time employees also contribute US$10 every month to the "Indigent Fund", which helps cover care for the unemployed, elderly, and other groups in need of monetary assistance.[citation needed]

As of January 2010, the islands has lacked facilities for cardiac catheterisation. Manyfeel the population is large enough to support the procedure.[citation needed] Various attempts to establish a catheterisation lab in George Town Hospital have stalled.[citation needed] There remains an urgent need for retinal surgery on the islands.[citation needed] Currently, residents with severe diabetic eye conditions or retinal detachments become blind,[citation needed] unless they have the financial means to seek prompt care on the mainland. In July 2007 an MRI unit was installed at the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, replacing the one destroyed by Hurricane Ivan. In August 2009, a new stand-alone Open MRI facility was opened. This centre provides MRI, CT, X-Ray and DEXA (Bone density)scanning. Also housed in this building is the Heart Health Centre, which provides Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Echocardiography and Cardiac Stress Testing.[35]

The same organization has built a hyperbaric unit at Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac.

.The Islands have their own police force, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIP).^When you study your own copy of Franko’s Map of The Cayman Islands, you will find yourself dreaming about Cayman Brac, and the map will cause you to go there!

Sports

Football is the national and most popular sport.[citation needed]Rugby is a developing sport, and has its own national men's team, women's team, and Sevens team. The Cayman Islands Under 20 rugby team has also qualified for the JWRT in Kenya 2009.[citation needed]

Music

The Cayman Islands is home to a number of bands which range from concert bands to steel pan bands. The modern forms of music composed in Cayman are primarily soca, rap and R&B.

Traditional Caymanian music was a 'Kitchen band', which was composed of a fiddle, drum, spoon and bottle, washboard, and possibly a harmonica or guitar. There is currently a band of Caymanians who perform as the Kitchen Band during cultural celebrations, such as CayFest or Heritage Days during Pirate's Week. This type of music is often fast-paced, and bears similarities to country and calypso music.

A National Band exists, which caters to concert band musicians. This band performs on occasion, and plays almost any type of music.

A number of other singing bands also perform at celebrations regularly, and generally play various music forms.

The Cayman Islands are also home to three performing steel pan bands – Panoramers, Pandemix and Pandemonium. Panoramers is the oldest, being formed by Earl LaPierre, who also founded AfroPan in Toronto, Canada. All of the bands play a Caribbean base of music, but often play a range of music to cater to all members of the audience.

Media

Notable feature films that have been filmed in the Cayman Islands include: The Firm, Haven and Cayman Went. The Cayman Islands Film Commission provides assistance to productions utilizing the jurisdiction.

See also

Notables

Selita Ebanks is a Caymanian fashion model. She is best known for her work with Victoria's Secret and as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2005-2008. Frank E. Flowers is a Caymanian independent filmmaker, film director and screenwriter.

11Dependencies of St. Helena since 1922 (Ascension Island) and 1938 (Tristan da Cunha)12Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April–June 198213Both claimed in 1908; territories formed in 1962 (British Antarctic Territory) and 1985 (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands)

^For its coral reefs and the transparency of its water (is reached to see up to 36 m deep), the Cayman Islands are a paradise for divers, but also practice other sports such as offshore fishing and golf (there are two courses of 18 holes).

.Great beaches
and fine restaurants and resorts make it an excellent tourist
destination as well.^This expanse of beach is lined with luxury accommodations, from low-rise condominiums to full-service resorts, as well as restaurants and small shopping centers.

Understand

.The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th
centuries.^The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863.

.Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a
British dependency after 1962 when the former became
independent.^Administered from Jamaica after 1863, they became a separate British crown colony when Jamaica became independent in 1962.

.In addition to banking (the islands have no direct taxation,
making them a popular incorporation site), tourism is a mainstay,
aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from
North America.^With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center.

.About 90% of the islands' food
and consumer goods must be imported.^Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2003, with about half from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported.

.The Caymanians enjoy one of
the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of
living in the world.^The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

^A population of over 53,000 people, the Cayman Islands also offers a desirable standard of living; in fact the highest standard of living in the Caribbean and a GDP per capita that is the 12th highest in the world and is renown as one of the world's largest banking centers and tax havens.The islands also print their own currency with the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD) pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 1 KYD equaling 1.2 USD. American Dollars though are accepted throughout the islands.

.It is served by a number of
international airlines, flying to destinations in the Caribbean,
North America, Central America & Europe.^Long known for their mastering of the seas as fishermen and turtlers, in the early 1900's many Caymanian men took to the seas as sailors aboard merchant ships which sailed the Caribbean, to North America and Central America.

British Airways[6]
provides Caribbean Service to Nassau, The Bahamas and European
Service to London (Heathrow)

Cayman Airways[7] provides domestic
service to Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, Caribbean Service to
Havana, Kingston, and Montego Bay, year round North American
service to Miami, Tampa Bay,
Washington, New York (JFK) and seasonal North American service to
Chicago & Orlando.

Continental Airlines[8] provides North American
service to Houston & Newark

.You must be 21 years old to
rent a car.^In order to rent a car, you must obtain a temporary drivers license from the police station or car rental agency, easily granted upon presenting a valid drivers licence from their home state, county.

Native Caymanians have a pleasant and unique accent with
many charming turns of phrase. For example, in Cayman rumours are
not heard "through the grapevine", instead they're heard "along the
marl road". Locals pronounce Cayman as Kay-MAN, and not
KAY-min.

^Application forms for import permits are available from the Department of Agriculture, at the numbers listed below, and must be accompanied by a non-refundable CI$5(US$6).

Living in the Cayman Islands19 January 2010 9:53 UTCwww.cayman.gov.ky [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Be careful and always know
if you're paying in CI or US. The basic conversion is US$1.25 to
CI$1 ($1=CI $0.80).

Eat

.Many influences can be seen in Cayman cuisine.^Taste of Cayman 1/16/2010 Taste of Cayman is a Food & Wine Festival that showcases a sampling of local and international cuisines from over 30 restaurants amongst many other activities.

.Local specialties
such as fish, turtle and conch are delicious and may be less
expensive as they don't need to be imported.^While in the Cayman Islands, look for food that hasn't been imported, such as fish and conch.

.With more than 150
restaurants, unwinding with a good meal in the Cayman Islands can
include chic five-star dining as well as a more casual venue under
the stars, or even a themed event.^It does not get more perfect than the Cayman Islands.

.From traditional Caymanian
seafood to Caribbean and Thai to Italian and New World cuisine,
discerning diners are sure to find something to fit their taste.^A Cayman Island landmark for decades, serving fresh seafood and Italian cuisine.

.Visitors flying into the Cayman Islands are able to bring either
1 bottle of duty free spirits, 4 bottles of wine or champagne, or 1
12 pack of beer per person 18 years of age or older.^Directory of shops and business that provide duty free shopping on the Cayman islands.

Exceeding this
duty allowance will result in substantial taxation to the excess
items.

Sleep

.Accommodations are ample but tend to be relatively expensive,
even on the two smaller islands.^However, it’s become extremely expensive so many divers head to the sister islands and even better diving.

.In
addition, the cost of food and drink is high in Cayman, but many
visitors stay in condominiums with kitchen facilities and take
advantage of the first class supermarkets and cook and barbeque on
the beach.^The evening will be filled with local entertainment, a Cayman cook-off, kids' activities and amazing food from a variety of restaurants.

.The majority of hotels and resorts are in Grand Cayman, where
the main hotel "strip" is Seven Mile Beach, home
to several major chain hotels and numerous condominiums.^Affordable rentals on Seven Mile Beach.

.Off Seven Mile Beach are several dive resorts and, in the
Eastern Districts, numerous private homes and villas, as well as
several resorts and attractions for those preferring a more
tranquil vacation.^Coralstone,Club Grand Cayman a Cayman Island Seven Mile Beach vacation resort...

.Little Cayman focuses on dive vacations and has a unique charm,
as well as some of the best diving anywhere.^As a British overseas territory, the Cayman Islands are truly unique and most well-known for the legendary walls, colorful reefs, and wrecks that inhabit the crystal clear water, making this one of the best scuba diving locations in the Caribbean.

Work

.Grand Cayman has growing offshore banking and tourism sectors.^What has happened is that, in an astonishing display of hypocrisy, the UK government has refused Cayman permission to increase its borrowing requirement to tide it over the downturn in the tourism and financial services sectors.

Tourism represents about 60% of the economy. .About 30% of residents
are expatriates working on "work permits" and unemployment is very
low.^Non-Caymanians are only permitted to reside and work within the country for a maximum of seven years (non-renewable) unless they satisfy the criteria of key employees.

It is best to avoid Cayman Islands as
a destination if you are gay or lesbian and wish to publicly
display such.

The Cayman Islands is a "relatively low-crime area, especially
compared to other vacation destinations in the Caribbean".

."However, that being said, crime is on the rise on Grand Cayman.^Cayman Pirate Encounter Description: Relive the swashbuckling days of long ago when Grand Cayman became famous for being a safe harbor for pirates and their treasure.

Walking or riding a bicycle at night along dark roads (for example,
along Courts Road) puts one at risk for assault and/or robbery.
.Pedestrians also need to worry about being hit by cars along soft
shouldered roads.^Visitors to the islands need not worry about being trapped during a hurricane as evacuation plans are in place and have worked well in the past.

Drunk driving/Hit and Run accidents have been a
problem. The RCIPS regularly conducts roadblocks to deter and
detect drunk driving, making numerous arrests most weekends.
DWI/DUI is a serious offense in Cayman.

Burglary is also an escalating problem, with over 300 reported
in the first 9 months of 2009/ lap tops and small hi-tech devices
are key targets.

However, one need not be overly concerned about miscellaneous
belongings. While at the beach, no one will be stealing your lunch,
towel or sneakers. .Cayman thieves are not desperate individuals,
and have no interest in normal personal effects or used snorkeling
gear.^There is no form of taxation in the Cayman Islands relating to individuals, corporations or trusts.

Example: An average
pair of sunglasses will not "grow legs"; But a flashy pair of
Chanel knock-offs just might!

Special note to women: Women traveling alone should be
especially careful at night, as sexual assaults do occur. .Carry a
cell phone capable of emergency calls to local 911. If you feel you
are being followed or inappropriately watched,you should
immediately call the police.^This is followed by the country code for the country you are calling.

^The only Cayman Islands Calling Card that you can use to make PIN-FREE calls from any phone, your home, office or even your cell phone, without switching your existing home phone service or wireless provider.

But not to worry. .You can
enjoy a relaxing and "incident-free" holiday if you take care to be
aware of your surroundings and lock doors when possible.^From the moment you arrive, you'll feel pampered and cared for-free to relax and enjoy that special laid-back warmth, simplicity and friendliness that makes the Cayman Islands so appealing in today's highly stressed world.

(This update on crime was originally added under the discussion
section.)

Many locals won't eat barracuda because it is likely that it is
poisonous. Be aware of that. .Other reef fish (groupers, amberjack,
red snappers, eel, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel) are not likely
to cause ciguatera (fish poisoning).

No natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies are
met by desalination plants and rainwater catchments.

Make sure you have sunscreen on if you plan on walking around
town.^The Cayman Islands have no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met saving by rainwater.

^For its coral reefs and the transparency of its water (is reached to see up to 36 m deep), the Cayman Islands are a paradise for divers, but also practice other sports such as offshore fishing and golf (there are two courses of 18 holes).

^The meaning of the Turtle is that the Caymans (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) were known as "Tortuga" (Turtle in Spanish) during the period when pirates used to hang around the Caribean Sea.

Respect

Caymanians are very respectful. Greetings and pleasantries are
common and expected, even to shopkeepers when entering their
stores. Most islanders use titles of respect, such as Mr. and Miss,
followed with the given or first name, when addressing other
islanders.

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.They consist of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and
Cayman Brac, and are situated between 79° 44' and 80° 26' W. and
19° 44' and 19° 46' N., forming a dependency of Jamaica, which lies 178 m.^The combined magic of the Grand Cayman, the Little Cayman and the Cayman Brac are sure to work.

E.N.E. of Grand Cayman. .Excepting near the rocky coast, the islands
are fruitful, mahogany and
other valuable timbers with some dye wood are grown, and large
quantities of coco-nuts are produced by the two smaller islands.^Where the two smaller islands mainly cater to ...

Phosphate deposits of considerable value are worked, but the
principal occupation of the inhabitants is catching turtles for
export to Jamaica. The people are excellent shipwrights and do a
considerable trade in schooners built of native wood. .The islands
are governed by a commissioner, and the laws passed by the local
legislative assembly are subject to the assent of the governor of
Jamaica.^The islands are ruled by a Legislative Assembly that is controlled by an appointed Governor.

.The population of the group is about 5000. The islands
were discovered by Columbus, who named them Tortugas from the
turtles with which the surrounding sea abounds.^He named them Las Tortugas after the numerous sea turtles there.

.They were never
occupied by the Spaniards and were colonized from Jamaica by the
British.^Edit or report The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863.